Businesses Await Maplecrest Extension Opening

The stop lights are covered and the road is blocked off, but by 2pm Tuesday, the Maplecrest Road Extension will finally be open to motorists.

Richard Hambrock, manager at Tampa Wellness Oasis in Fort Wayne's Georgetown Square Shopping Center, is eagerly awaiting the opening.

His business has been open for the past seven years. That's about as long as the Maplecrest project has been in the works.

Not seen yet on Google Maps, the stretch of road will connect Lake Avenue in Fort Wayne to SR 930 in New Haven. Hambrock says he's looking for to ease it'll bring to his customers.

"The bridge is clearly going to make it easier for them to get to us and we're looking forward to seeing them. We're always looking forward to a new customer base" Hambrock tells WFFT.

A few doors down from Tampa Wellness Oasis sits ReNew, a non-profit resell store. Manager Jan Steiner is also looking forward to hopefully an increase in customers.

"I think it'll give them an opportunity to find us here without taking a detour all the way around town" says Steiner.

Allen County officials expect the new roadway, will attract up to 17, 000 vehicles a day.

"We're excited to see it come through, to increase traffic and visibility and just for all our folks getting around town" Steiner says.

Steiner also says it'll benefit not just customers but also employees who live in New Haven.

Although the new stretch of road will open tomorrow, the ribbon-cutting ceremony has been pushed back due to weather concerns. The ceremony will now take place on Friday.